Top 10 Most Inspiring Hungarian Women

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Top 10 Most Inspiring Hungarian Women

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Its capital, Budapest, is bisected by the Danube River.

It is also the birthplace of many famous and inspirational people. Erno Rubik, a sculptor, and professor, invented Rubik’s Cube in 1974. It also boasts 13 Nobel Prize winners, and magician Harry Houdini was also born in the country’s capital, Budapest.

The achievements of Hungarian women are less known. Thanks to their talent and perseverance, Hungary women have achieved some kindlutionary healthcare, education, and scientific research.

Many have left their mark on the world, and others are striving to mark their place on earth. Their outstanding achievements have made them eternal role models.

These women inspire other women to engage in any sectors they may be interested in, whether economic, political, or social.

Listed here are successful Hungarian females who are noteworthy in their acts and great when searching for a mentor.

1. Glücklich Vilma (1872-1927)

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

She was a Hungarian educational reformer, pacifist, and women’s rights activist.

In 1896, she became the first woman in Hungary to be admitted and eventually to receive a degree from the Faculty of Philosophy at the Budapest State University.

She was active in trade union work and the pacifist movement, eventually losing her work. She escaped to exile, after which she emigrated to Switzerland.

2. Magda Szabó (1917-2007)

Image by Debreceni Református Kollégium Dóczy Gimnáziuma-Wikimedia

If you are looking for an accomplished writer, look no further. Magda Szabo is a Hungarian novelist with publications in 42 countries in over 30 languages.

She graduated as a teacher of Latin and Hungarian at the University of Debrecen in 1940. From 1945, she worked in the Ministry of Religion and Education for around four years.

Her most famous novel Az ajtó (The Door), which revolves around the relationship between a prominent Hungarian writer and her mysterious housekeeper, was published in 1987. The book got a warm reception worldwide and was translated into English in 1995 and then again in 2005.

3. Mária Telkes (1900-1995)

Image by New York World-Wikimedia

Women are not commonly seen in the field of science. However, one scientist stood out for her inventions in a male-dominated field. Born in Budapest, Hungarian-American biophysicist, scientist, and inventor Dr. Máris Telkes was known for working on solar energy technologies.

She was considered one of the founders of solar thermal storage systems and was nicknamed the “Sun Queen.” She investigated the energy produced by living organisms at age twenty-five.

She invented a miniature desalination unit called solar salt-water still, used on lifeboats during WWII. Torpedoed sailors and downed airmen collected potable water via solar power when abandoned at sea, and this would save their lives.

4. Eszter Szabo

Eszter Szabo was troubled by how to accumulate more local capital in the global innovation competition. Women were the answer; she founded Women / Business / Angels, an NGO facilitating and promoting women’s engagement in innovation decision-making.

Her goal was to attract more women together with businessmen as business angel investors because transparency and increased capital would mean starting more innovative businesses.

She guides governments on how to score better in attracting new investments and upgrading the existing investment pool. She also works with ambitious executives in their efforts to build up companies.

5. Ágnes Keleti

Image by Róth Tamás-Wikimedia

One can find inspiration anywhere, and this older woman is nothing but inspirational. She is 102 years old, making her the most senior living Olympic champion and medallist.

While representing Hungary at the Summer Olympics, she won 10 Olympic medals, including five gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals.

With these achievements, she is the most successful competitor in Hungarian gymnastics and the winner of 46 Hungarian championships; she is also a seven-time team champion.

6. Katinka Hosszú

Image by Doha Stadium Plus Qatar-Wikimedia

It is no coincidence that the three-time Olympic, nine-time world, and fourteen-time European Champion female swimmer Katinka Hosszú, goes by the nickname ‘Iron Lady.’

Her achievements have made Hungarians proud numerous times, gaining her global recognition. Simultaneously, she is the first athlete to hold the world record in all five swimming styles putting her at the top of the international list of women’s record-holding swimmers.

She has ninety-six medals: 64 gold, 20 silver, and 12 bronze.

7. Katalin Karikó

Image by Innisfree987-Wikimedia

Katalin Karikó played a crucial role in developing the mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech Covid19 vaccine.

After the company she worked for downsized, she relocated to the United States with her family to continue her career.

She has received numerous awards both in Hungary and internationally. These include (the Széchenyi Prize, Semmelweis Prize, Honorary Citizen of Szeged, etc.),

She is among the best women scientists we have today. Recently she was moved to tears when she received the Princess of Asturias Prize (Premios Princesa de Asturias), often referred to as the Spanish Nobel Prize.

Karikó was recognized as one of the heroes of 2021 by Forbes.

8. Zsuzsanna Kossuth

Statue of Zsuzsanna Kossuth in Sárbogárd. Image by repműszaki –Wikimedia

She was the world’s first military nurse who organized the first military hospitals during the 1848-1849 War of Independence. She initiated the establishment of 72 new field hospitals and not only managed but also cared for the sick.

The Hungarian lady was the first to call the world’s attention to the duty of caring for wounded soldiers and was highly respected in the United States of America during her lifetime. Zsuzsanna Kossuth’s patriotism, moral uprightness, selflessness, and humanity can serve as an example for today’s age.

9. Lili Kronberger

She was the first female competitor in national and international figure skating. She became Hungary’s first World Champion in 1908 at the World Championships in Troppau, Silesia, where she won the first gold medal in Hungarian sports history.

She was also the first skater to present an artistic program with musical accompaniment at the World Championships in Vienna.

The cover of the January issue of the Italian edition of Forbes 2021 featured her. The magazine selected her among the 100 most successful Italian women. She then appeared again in the magazine this year in connection with the cover story Smart Ways.

10. Irina Mella Burlac

She is half-Hungarian. She grew up and lived in Hungary till 2006, when she left for Italy.

There she founded her firm Vita International in 2014 with her partner and former colleagues. The company started with 5fivepeople. Today Vita International has an annual turnover of € 12 million and is one of the market leaders in Europe.

It is mainly involved in manufacturing and installingilluminated and environmentally friendly road barriers. The default setting is white light. However, it can turn to flash orange on dangerous road sections or in the case of temporary traffic regulations.